What is it?
This innovative uniformed public services course provides enriching teaching and learning opportunities to ensure students discover and develop vital skills required to enter employment or further study.
Why study this subject at Blackpool Sixth?
We will help you to prepare psychologically, physically and academically for a career within our illustrious public services. Whether it is our emergency services, armed forces or an additional service you are seeking to join, you will gain hands-on experience from current serving personnel and ex-serving teachers. You will get the chance to visit different sectors as well as speak with ex students who are currently in their dream role in their chosen service.
What skills will I develop?
- Communication
- Working with others/ group management
- Empathy
- Confidence
- Leadership
- IT skills
- Presentation
- Analysis & evaluation thought processes
How will I be taught?
- Classes are student led with a variety of activities, guided by outstanding teachers linked to sensitive and real life scenarios.
- Opportunity to have sessions led by the Royal Marine Commandos, RAF and the Armed Forces.
- A good mixture of classroom and practical based.
- Live-learning throughout the course (trips, activities and guest speakers)
How will I be assessed?
All assignments are assessed through coursework with a variety of assessment methods: videos, presentations, blogs and posters. With some external assessments. 70% internally assessed, 30% externally assessed
Teacher expertise
You will be led by teachers who have been teaching on the course for 5 years from when the course started, with a vast amount of experience teaching all units on the course. Outstanding teachers including one with seven years experience as a firefighter. The teaching team also includes a staff member who has been an expedition leader for 6 years working alongside Mountain Rescue personnel during the Duke of Edinburgh Award expeditions and has previous experience within the Army Reserves. With teachers with experience in the private security sector within Blackpool and the South East of England.
With extensive experience in the outdoor industry delivering outdoor education, first aid courses and work in further education for over 20 years. With a passion to develop essential and transferable life skills to individuals such as communication, leadership, responsibility of self and others as well as first aid that will aid them in their progress after college.
Field trips, projects and employability opportunities
We are a ‘Live Learning’ course which enables us to have strong links with our employers/partners in which they will help teach and deliver criteria.
- University trips
- International visits
- Prison Service
- Army Reserves
- RAF Centre
- Police stations
- Blackpool Council
- Lions Challenge
- Plus many more across the course.
Where does it lead?
The pathway for development is varied for our learners. Some go to university to do courses such as policing, criminology or health-related courses. Some students go directly into employment with most joining the armed forces, police, prison services and some go on to apprenticeships with organisations such as BAE Systems.
Specific requirements
Standard vocational programme entry requirements.
Equipment
You will need an iPad/other device as part of the Technology for Learning scheme. Course polo shirts.
Examination board
Pearson Edexcel.
Specific requirements
- Standard vocational programme requirements. (See here).
What will I study?
Unit 5:
Teamwork, Leadership and Communication in the Uniformed Protective Services – you will develop the skills to be an effective team member. In this unit you will learn the skills to clearly communicate, lead others and know the different communication systems that are crucial to the different services. You will have radio training and learn the Phonetic Alphabet. as well as have the opportunity to work with the Army using technology used in the forces, responding to mock scenarios.
Unit 8:
Custodial Care – Her Majesty’s Prison Service is a vital service for society and protects the public whilst overseeing the rehabilitation and security of offenders. This unit will help you to understand the procedures of how a prison works and the work that is entailed in rehabilitating offenders and the issues they may have. An in-depth look at the role of prison officers and other prison staff, whilst gaining an understanding of security measures and equipment in place. The unit will also give learners the opportunity to visit a local prison and work with prison staff in gaining a better understanding. In the past we have had 4 students make the successful transition into the role of a prison officer.
Unit 11:
Expedition Skills – This unit will give learners the knowledge and skills to undertake a variety of activities with either groups of friends or flying solo. You will also learn the logistics of taking up an expedition and procedures that need to be followed to ensure that the expedition is safe. You will also have the opportunity to participate in an expedition and overnight camp where the skills and knowledge you have learnt in the classroom, will have to be put to practical use in an exciting experience. Skills such as navigational tracking, compass use, trekking skills will all be tested in an invigorating 36 hour experience.
Unit 15:
Police Powers and the Law – During this unit, you will look at the various powers that the police have in terms of investigating (powers of searching and citizen rights) and arresting. Followed on by an in depth view of the criminal justice system and how a case progresses through court, starting with the personnel involved and finishing with the sentences that may be handed out.
Alongside these units you will also learn:
- Unit 1 – Citizenship & Diversity
- Unit 2 – Behaviour and Discipline
- Unit 3 – Global Affairs
- Unit 4 – Physical Preparation, Health & Wellbeing
- Unit 6 – Government & Protective Services
- Unit 7 – Planning for and Responding
- Unit 12 – Developing Personal Fitness Programmes
- Unit 20 – Technology in the Protective Services